Metalworking machine



F. H. LE JEUNE METALWORKING MACHINE April 11, 1939.

Filed Oct. 28, 1935 7 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR FRANK H. LEJEUNE April 11, 1939. F. H. LE .JEUNE METALWORKING MACHINE Filed Oct. 28, 1935 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR FRANK H. LEJ EUNE A TTORNE Y F. H. LE JEUNE METALWORKING-MACHINE April 11, 133%,

7 Sheets-Sheei: 5

Filed 001:. 28, 1935 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS April 11, 1939. F. H. L' E JEUNE 2,154,004

MET ALWORKI NG MACH INE Filed Oct 28 1955 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR FRANK H. LEJ EUNE FIGA'Q April 11, 1939. F. H. LE JEUNE METALWORKING MACHINE Filed Oct. 28, 1935 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR FRANK H. LEJEUNE A TTORNE YS April 11, 1939. F. H. LE JEUNE 2,154,004

METALWORKING MACHINE Filed Oct. 28, 1955 7 Sheets-Sheet s Please 50 40 I I I I9 30 34 3| o 7 I o INVENTOR FRANK H LEJEUNE I, v/ a ATTORNEYS A ril 11, 139. F. H. LE JEUNE 2,154,004

METALWORKING MACHINE Filed 001;. 28, 1955 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 INVENTOR FRANK H. LE-HELENE A 770mm 2/ s Patented Apr. 11, 1939 UNITED STATES ATENT METALWORKING MACHINE Application October 28, 1935, Serial No. 47,180

14 Claims.

This invention relates generally to metal working machines and refers more particularly to apparatus for fashioning vehicle wheel rims to a predetermined cross sectional contour.

One of the principal objects of this invention is to provide apparatus for rolling vehicle wheel rims to a predetermined cross sectional contour rendering it possible to not only produce the rims at a considerably faster rate than is possible with machines of the type heretofore employed, but, to also form smaller diametered rims of heavier stock than is considered practical with the various types of rolling machines employed in the past.

The present invention contemplates securing the foregoing results, by providing a rolling machine having mechanism operable to exert an axial pressure upon opposite sides of an annular blank to flange the latter sides and, during the continuance of the application of said axial pressure, to roll the blank to a predetermined cross sectional contour. More particularly, the present invention contemplates a rolling machine having cooperating forming rolls; one of the rolls comprising complementary sections relatively movable away from each other to permit an annulus or a rim blank to be inserted therebetween, and relatively movable toward each other to exert the aforesaid pressure upon the opposite sides of the blank to flange the same. The other of the rolls is mounted for radial movement into engagement with the rim blank supported between the roll sections, and movable in timed relation to continued relative movement of the 35 latter roll sections toward each other to coop crate with the roll sections in forming the rim blank to the predetermined desired cross sectional contour.

Another advantageous feature of the present invention resides in the novel means provided for effecting the required movement of both the roll sections and forming roll in timed relation to each other.

Inaddition to the foregoing, the present inven- 45 tion contemplates a rolling machine of the character hereinbefore set forth, wherein the cooperating roll sections and radially movable forming roll are driven in such a manner as to not only permit either of the cooperating roll see- 50 tions to revolve at a greater peripheral speed than the other, but, to also permit the radially movable roll to revolve at a greater peripheral speed than either of the aforesaid roll sections. This arrangement is advantageous, since it eliminates 55 scoring of the rim, usually caused by the variations in the peripheral speeds of the different portions of the rim, during the forming operation.

The foregoing, as Well as other objects, will be made more apparent as this description pro- 5 ceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a rolling machine constructed in accordance with this invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the machine shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an elevation of one side of the machine shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the plane indicated by the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on the plane indicated by the line 5-5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on the plane indicated by the line 6-6 of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is an elevation, the part in section being taken on the line 'il of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevation featuring the driving mechanism;

Figure 9 is an elevation of a portion of the machine featuring the Geneva gearing;

Figure 10 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating the forming rolls in one position;

Figure 11 is a view, similar to Figure 10 showing the forming rolls in still another position;

Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 11 of a further position of the forming rolls.

Although the particular machine shown herein for the purpose of illustration is employed for the purpose of forming vehicle wheel rims commonly known as the drop-center type, nevertheless, it will be apparent as this description proceeds that the principles embodied in the apparatus may be advantageously used in forming rim members of various different cross sectional contours and, therefore, the present invention is not limited to forming vehicle wheel rims of any particular type.

In general, an annulus or rim blank is formed to a predetermined desired cross sectional contour by a pair of cooperating rolls designated in the several figures of the drawings, by the reference characters I5 and I 6. The roll it is shown as formed of two sections mounted for relative movement toward and away from each other and having a common axis of rotation. The two roll sections aforesaid cooperate with each other in their innermost positions to form the roll IS and i of the roll I6,

in their outermost positions provide a space therebetween sufficient to receive the annulus or rim blank to be formed. The roll I5 is mounted directly above the roll I6 for rotation about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the roll I6, and for radial movement toward and away from the roll IS. The means for moving the roll I5 radially withrespect to the axis of rotation of the roll I6 is so timed with respect to the means for relatively moving the sections of the roll I6, that when the latter roll sections are moved toward each other, the roll I5 is moved downwardly or toward the roll sections, and when the roll sections are moved away from each other, the roll I5 is moved upwardly or away from the roll I6.

Assuming that the sections of the roll I6 are in their outermost positions with respect to each other and that an annulus or rim blank has been inserted therebetween, it will be noted from Figure 10, that initial axial movement of the sections of the roll I6 toward each other serves to locate portions of the roll sections in supporting relation to the opposite ends of the annulus. During the interval of initial movement of the sections of the roll I6 toward each other, the roll 15 is moved downwardly toward the blank but is not engaged with the blank until the sections of the roll l5 have been moved to the positions thereof shown in Figure 11, or, in other words, have moved toward each other the distance required to channel the blank to the contour clearly illustrated in the above figure. It may be pointed out at this time, that during the interval of relative movement of the sections of the roll I6 from their outermost positions to the positions thereof shown in Figure 11, the same may, or may not, be rotated, since during the above interval of operation they are merely acting as a die to curl the opposite edges of the blank to the approximate contour desired. As the sections of the roll I6 complete their channeling operation on the rim blank, the roll I5 assumes a position wherein the periphery thereof engages the blank substantially midway between the side edges thereof, and upon continued inward movement of the roll sections toward each other, the roll I5 cooperates therewith, as shown in Figure 12, to form the rim blank to the cross sectional contour of the peripheral portions of the rolls. During this interval of operation, the roll I5, as Well as both the sections of the roll I6, are rotated, and the driving means therefor is such as to permit overrunning of both the roll sections and the roll I5 to compensate for variations in the peripheral speed of different portions of the rim being formed. Upon completion of the rolling operation, the sections of the roll I6 are relatively moved away from each other, and the roll I5 is moved upwardly so as to provide for discharging the rim from the machine and permit another annulus or blank to be inserted between the roll sections.

Referring more particularly to the construction I and 20 are the sections cooperating to form this roll. Each of these sections has the collar or ring II which extends axially over or overhangs the radially outer portion of the peripheral surface used in forming the rim '7' blank to the desired cross sectional contour. These collars or rings form stops engageable with the opposite side edges of the rim blank upon movement of the sections I1 and 2|] toward each other to the position shown in Figure 11 to thereby position the rim blank relative to the sections.

Referring now more in detail to the particular construction of the rolling machine illustrated herein, it will be noted from Figure 4 that the section I! of the roll I6 isremovablysecuredtothe inner end of a spindle I8 journaled in a slide or hearing I9 mounted upon the frame of the machine for reciprocation in the direction of the axis of the spindle I8. The cooperating section 28 of the roll I6 is removably secured to the inner end of a spindle 2I positioned in axial alignment with the spindle I8 and journaled in a bearing or slide 22 also mounted on the frame of the machine for reciprocation in the direction of the axes of the spindles.

The spindles are reciprocated in opposite directions to provide for moving the two roll sections into a position, wherein they cooperate to form the roll I6, and to also provide for separating the sections the required distance to permit an annulus or rim blank A to be inserted between the sections. The means for effecting the desired reciprocation of the spindles or roll sections attached thereto comprises a crank shaft 23 journaled in the machine frame adjacent the upper end thereof for rotation about an axis parallel to the axes of the forming rolls and having a cam secured to each end of the same. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the cam 24 at one end of the shaft 23 is operatively connected to the spindle I8 for reciprocating the latter through the medium of mechanism designated generally by the reference character 25. In detail, the mechanism 25 comprises a slide 26 mounted upon the side of the machine frame shown in Figure 3 for vertical sliding movement and having the opposite ends secured to the upper ends of the racks 21 also mounted on the machine frame for vertical sliding movement. The racks are actuated from the cam 24 by means of a follower 28 engaging the cam and adjustably secured as at 29 to the slide 26 intermediate the ends of the latter.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 6, it will be noted that the lower ends of the racks 21 are provided with teeth adapted to mesh with a pair of pinions 30 secured to the opposite ends of a shaft 3| -iournaled on the machine frame for rotation about an axis extending at right angles to the axis of the shaft I8. The arrangement is such that downward movement of the racks 2'! by the cam 24 effects a rotation of the shaft 3| in the direction of the arrow 32 shown in Figure 4. Rotation of the shaft 3| in the direction of the arrow 32 effects an inward sliding movement of the spindle I8, and this is accomplished by means of pinions 33 secured to the shaft BI in a position to mesh with the rack teeth 3 formed on the lower side of the slide I9. Thus, it will be apparent that downward movement of the racks 21 by the cam 24 effects a sliding movement of the shaft or spindle I8 in the direction of the spindle 2 I.

As the roll section IT is moved by the spindle I8 in a direction toward the roll section 20 the latter is simultaneously moved in the opposite direction or toward the roll section I I, and movement of the roll section 2!] in this direction is accomplished by a cam 34 through mechanism 35 identical in construction to the mechanism 25 described in connection with the spindle I8. In other words, as the cams on the crank shaft are rotated by the latter, the spindles I8 and 2! are moved toward each other to ultimately locate the forming roll sections I1 and 20 in a position wherein the same cooperate to form the forming roll I 6. In this connection, it may be pointed out that the sections of the roll l6 are accurately guided into engagement with each other by providing an inwardly extending pilot 36 on the roll section 29 and by forming a recess 31 in the adjacent face of the roll section ll of sufficient dimension to receive the pilot.

It will, of course, be apparent that some means must be provided for moving the spindles l8 and ti outwardly or in directions to separate the forming roll sections a sufficient distance to permit a blank or annulus to be inserted therebetween. In the present instance, the foregoing is accomplished by providing a fluid pressure cylinder 33 on each of the slides, in the manner illustrated in Figure '7. As shown in this latter figure, a stationary piston 39 is mounted in each of the cylinders and the outer ends of the latter communicate with a source of fluid under pressure through the medium of the intake port 60, while the inner ends of the same communicate with the atmosphere as at 4|. The arrangement is such that when the spindle slides are moved toward each other, fluid is compressed within the portions of the cylinders at the outer sides of the pistons, so that when the dwells on the cams assume positions in registration with the cam followers the fluid pressure reacting against the stationary pistons operates to move the spindle slides outwardly, and as a consequence, returns the racks 2! to their uppermost positions.

In the general description of the apparatus previously noted, attention was called to the fact that the upper forming r011 moves vertically toward and away from the forming roll it in timed relation to the relative movement of the sections of the latter forming roll. As shown in Figure 4, the upper forming roll [5 is mounted upon a spindle 52 having the opposite ends suitably journaled upon a slide 43 mounted upon the frame of the machine for vertical sliding movement. fhe slide 53 is in turn adjustably secured to a ram M and the latter is connected to the crank it on the crank shaft 23 through the medium of connecting rod 46. Inasmuch as the came for operating the sections of the forming roll l5 are also mounted on the crank shaft 23, it necessarily follows that the movement of the roll 15 may be timed with respect to the movement of the sections aforesaid by accurately positioning the cams relative to the throw of the crank 25.

It will, of course, be understood that the forming roll 15 is mounted upon the shaft 52 in such a position with respect to the forming roll it as to register with the latter when the rolls are in the positions thereof shown in Figure 12, and adjustable connection of the slide with the ram is Mich as to vary the distance between the axes of the two forming rolls. In detail, this connection comprises a pair of adjusting screws M positioned upon opposite sides of the slide and threadedly engaging the ram 44 in the manner shown in Figure 4. Threadedly mounted upon each of the screws 5? between the slide and ram is a nut 48 having gear teeth arranged in constant mesh with the idler gears 49 carried by the and adapted to mesh with an operating gear 5% also carried by the ram. The arrangement is such that adjustment of the gear 59 effects adjustment of the nuts 48 on the screws 41 in the same direction and thereby either raises or lowers the forming roll !5 with respect to the forming roll 55 depending upon the direction of rotation of the gear 50.

Inasmuch as it is also important that the upper forming roll l5 be accurately positioned axially with respect to the forming roll l6 provision is made herein for effecting an axial adjustment of the forming roll Hi. In detail, the spindle 42 comprises two sections designated in Figure 4 by the reference characters 5i and 52. The section 52 is journaled in a fixed bearing carried by the slide 43, while the section 5| threadedly engages a counterbored portion of the section 52 and is journaled in a bearing 53 mounted on the slide 43 for sliding movement in the direction of the axis of the spindle 42. The extremity of the section 5! extends laterally beyond the bearing 53 and terminates in a polygonally shaped head 54. In general, the arrangement is such that when the section 5| is adjusted with respect to the section 52, the bearing 53, as well as the forming roll i5, is correspondingly adjusted.

Referring now to the means provided herein for oscillating the crank shaft to effect the desired operation of the forming rolls, it will be noted from Figures 1, 4 and 5 that this means comprises an H-shaped slide 55 mounted upon the frame of the machine above the crank shaft for sliding movement in a direction extending at right angles to the axis of the shaft. Upon reference to Figure 4, it will be noted that a pair of racks 56 is secured to the underside of the slide at opposite sides of the latter for engagement with gear segments 51 formed on the checks of the crank 45. With this arrangement, it will be apparent that reciprocation of the slide 55 effects an oscillation of the crank shaft 23 through the medium of the racks 5S and the gear segments 53'. In the present instance, the slide is reciprocated by fluid pressure means designated generally in Figure 5 by the reference character 58 and comprises opposed pistons 59 acting upon opposite sides of the bar 60 of the H-slide 55. Each of the pistons 59 is reciprocably mounted in suitable cylinders 6| having the opposite ends communicating with a fluid pressure pump '52 of the type rendering it possible to vary pressure within the same. Pumps of this type are commonly known to the trade and although various other types of pumps may be employed, nevertheless, I prefer the one briefly mentioned above, since it avoids the use of complicated valve arrangements for varying the pressure. In any event, the pump alternately introduces fluid pressure into the outer ends of the two cylinders to effect the desired reciprocation of the slide 55 through the medium of the pistons at. Any suitable means (not shown herein) may be provided for automatically controlling the operation of the pump to effect the desired operation of the pistons 59. 1

Referring now to the means provided herein for rotating the forming rolls during the rolling operation, and with special reference to the means for rotating the spindles i3 and 2!, it will be noted from Figure 4 that a gear If! is secured to the outer end of the spindle !8 through the medium of an overrunning clutch H constructed to permit the spindle It to revolve at a faster rate than the gear 78, The teeth of the gear 18 mesh with a countershaft gear '52 elongated in the direction of the axis of the spindle 88 to permit the aforesaid reciprocation of the spindle and adapted to mesh with an idler gear '13 which in turn meshes with gear M secured to the driven shaft 15. Referring now to Figure 8, it will be noted that the driven shaft l5 has a gear 16 se cured thereto and adapted to be operatively connected to a drive shaft H through suitable re duction gearing designated in Figure 8 by the reference character 18. The drive shaft 11 is in turn provided with a pulley 19 connected to a pulley 85 on the shaft of the motor 8| through the medium of a belt 82.

The spindle 2| for the forming roll section 20 is rotated from the driven shaft I5 by gearing identical to the gearing previously described for operating the spindle l8. In other words, the drive for the spindle 2! is also such as to permit this spindle to overrun in the event the section of the stock being rolled is such as to tend to rotate the forming roll section 20 at a greater peripheral speed. The introduction of the overrunning clutches for actuating both the spindles is of considerable importance, since it permits either or both of the forming roll sections to overrun when the section of the stock is of the character set forth in the preceding sentence and thereby prevents scoring of the stock.

As shown in Figure 4, the section 52 of the spindle 42 is connected through a universal joint to one end of a shaft 83 having the opposite end connected through a universal joint to a shaft 86, and the latter is driven by a gear 85 shown in Figure 8 as constituting one of the gears of the train 1'8. It will also be noted from Figure 4 that the gear 85 is secured to the shaft 84 through the medium of an overrunning clutch 86 identical in construction to the overrunning clutch 1! and operable to permit the spindle 42 to overrun the driving mechanism therefor. Thus, it will be apparent that the forming rolls l5 may overrun either or both of the sections of the forming roll it so that scoring or sliding of the roll 15 over the stock is reduced to the minimum.

In order to render the rolling machine completely automatic in its operation, means is provided herein in the form of a conveyor 90 for not only successively feeding rim blanks to a position between the sections of the forming roll I6 when the latter sections are in their outermost positions with respect to each other, but, to also eject the completed rims from the apparatus. As shown in Figure 3, the conveyor 98 comprises an endless chain 9! extending transversely of the spindles for the forming roll sections beneath the latter and reeved around suitable sprockets positioned laterally beyond opposite sides of the apparatus. Upon reference to Figure 3, it will be noted that the sprocket 92 at one side of the apparatus is mounted upon a shaft 93 journaled upon a bracket 5'4 having a portion secured to the machine frame. The sprocket 95 at the opposite side of the apparatus is mounted on a shaft having the opposite ends journaled in bearings adjustably supported on the end 96 of a frame 97 for the purpose of maintaining the conveyor chain 91 taut. The opposite end of the frame is pivotally mounted upon the shaft 83 for vertical swinging movement about the axis of this shaft and mechanism designated generally in Figure 3 by the reference character 98, is provided for automatically oscillating the frame in timed relation to the operation of the forming roll sections l1 and 2G. The mechanism 98 comprises a double acting air cylinder 99 of standard construction operatively connected to the swinging end of the frame 9? and automatically actuated by any suitable mechanism (not shown) in timed relation to the aforesaid movement of the forming roll sections. In the present instance, the conveyor is lowered by the mechanism 98 when the forming roll sections are moved toward each other and is returned to the operative position thereof illus trated in Figure 3 in timed relation to movement of the forming roll sections in directions away from each other.

As shown in Figure 3, a plurality of holders I are secured to the conveyor chain at spaced intervals throughout the length thereof, and the conveyor chain is intermittently advanced to suecessively position the holders between the sections of the forming roll l6 when the latter sections are in their outermost positions with respect to each other. The mechanism for intermittently advancing the conveyor chain is designated in Figure 9 by the reference character IDI and this mechanism comprises Geneva gearing I02 operatively connecting the shaft 93 to the drive shaft 71 previously described. The Geneva gearing is sodetermined that when the conveyor assumes the position thereof shown in Figure 3 or, in other words, when the sections of the forming roll [6 are in their outermost positions, the con veyor is advanced to the extent required to displace a completed rim from the position thereof between the forming roll sections and to locate a rim blank between the latter sections prior to movement of the sections toward each other. It will, of course, be understood that the conveyor is retained in its operative position to support the rim blank between the forming roll sections until the latter have assumed the relative positions thereof shown in Figure 10, whereupon the conveyor is lowered by the mechanism 98 so as not to interfere with continued inward movement of the forming roll sections.

It is desired in the present instance to enclose the forming rolls during the rolling operation so as to permit the use of a cooling medium and, accordingly, suitable closures I03 are sildably supported at the front and rear sides of the machine frame opposite the forming roll IS. The closures are automatically moved upwardly in timed relation to the advancement of the conveyor so as to permit passage of the rim blanks to a position between the forming roll sections and this function is accomplished by suitable air cylinders I 04 which may be operated in the same manner as the double acting air cylinder 99 previously described as functioning to swing the conveyor about the axis of the shaft 93.

Operation It will be observed from the foregoing descrip tion that when the forming roll section I is in its uppermost position with respect to the forming roll I6, and that when the cooperating sections of the latter are in their outermost positions, the conveyor 90 assumes its operative position shown in Figure 3 and the closures m3 are raised to the extent required to permit advancement of a rim blank transversely through the apparatus. In this connection, it may be pointed out that the spacing of the holders on the conveyor is such that when the latter is moved to its operative position, shown in Figure 3, one of the holders registers with the blank feeding hopper I05 so as to receive a blank from the latter. The Geneva gearing I 02 then functions to advance the conveyor the extent necessary to move the blank in the holder to a position between the cooperating roll sections of the forming roll l6. As soon as the blank is interposed between the cooperating roll sections, the latter are moved toward each other and when the same reach the relative positions thereof shown in Figure 10, the conveyor is automatically lowered by the mechanism 91. The rim blank is then supported by the cooperating forming roll sections and movement of the latter toward each other is continued to the position thereof shown in Figure 11, wherein the opposite sides of the blank are curled by the forming roll sections I! and 20. As the aforesaid cooperating forming roll sections continue to move inwardly, the forming roll I is engaged with the central portion of the blank and cooperates with the roll sections to form the blank to the particular cross sectional contour of the rolls or to the shape illustrated in Figure 12. It will be understood that as soon as the blank has been properly positioned between the cooperating forming roll sections, the closures I03 are automatically lowered by the air cylinders i534 so as to permit the use of a cooling medium during the aforesaid rolling operation.

Upon completion of the rolling operation the cooperating sections of the forming roll it are separated and the roll I5 is moved upwardly away from the forming roll 16. While the rolled section is still supported by the cooperating sections of the forming roll IS, the conveyor 90 is raised to its operative position shown in Figure 3 so as to locate the holder below the roll section into a position to receive the later and support the same during the final outward movement of the cooperating roll sections. When the latter roll sections have been moved to their outermost positions, the closures I03 are raised and the conveyor is again advanced by the Geneva gearing to eject the rolled section from the apparatus and to position another blank between the sections of the forming roll H6. The foregoing operation is then repeated to form another rolled section.

Thus from the foregoing, it will be observed that I have provided a relatively simple and inexpensive apparatus capable of forming rims of predetermined cross sectional contour at a rate considerably faster than rolling machines of the type heretofore employed for this purpose. The increased capacity of the apparatus is due primarily to the fact that the latter is not only thoroughly automatic in operation, but, is also capable of rolling rims embodying relatively deep channels in one operation instead of several, as heretofore considered necessary in forming rims of the above type. One of the important features of the present invention rendering it possible to fashion relatively small diametered deep channeled rims in a single rolling operation consists in utilizing the cooperating sections of the forming roll l6 as a curling die during the initial movement of these sections toward each other and prior to the actual rolling operation. In addition, it will be noted that I have provided a rolling apparatus wherein variations in the peripheral speeds of diiferent portions of the section being rolled are compensated for by permitting the forming rolls to overrun the driving mechanism connected thereto, with the result that scoring and tearing of the stock during the forming operation is reduced to the minimum.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a machine for rolling an annulus to a predetermined cross sectional contour, relatively axially movable roll sections having portions engageable within opposite sides of an annular blank and having other portions engageable with the opposite side edges of the blank, means for relatively moving the roll sections axially toward each other to channel the blank, and means operable in dependence upon continued relative movement of the sections toward each other to exert a radial pressure upon the blank in a direction toward the roll sections to cooperate with the latter in forming the blank to a predetermined cross sectional contour.

2. In a machine for rolling an annulus to a predetermined cross sectional contour, a pair of relatively axially movable roll sections having portions engageable within opposite sides of an annular blank and having other portions engageable with the opposite side edges of the blank upon relative axial movement of the roll sections toward each other to initially form the blank, and means operable upon continued relative movement of the sections toward each other to exert a radial pressure upon the blank.

3. In a machine for rolling an annulus to a predetermined cross sectional contour, a pair of roll sections mounted for relative movement toward and away from each other and cooperating in their innermost position to form a roll having a peripheral surface corresponding in shape to the contour of the annulus to be formed, said sections having portions insertable within opposite sides of an annular blank therebetween to support said blank and having additional portions engageable with opposite side edges of the blank, means for relatively moving the roll sections toward each other to insert the first named portions of the sections within the blank and to exert an axial pressure on opposite side edges of the blank to initially form the same, and a cooperating forming roll movable in a radial direction toward the axes of the roll sections into engagement with the annular blank as the application of said axial pressure on the opposite side edges of the blank is continued by the roll sections to cooperate with the latter in forming the annular blank to a predetermined cross sectional contour.

4. In a machine for rolling an annulus to a predetermined cross sectional contour, a pair of roll sections mounted for relative axial movement toward and away from each other and cooperating in their innermost positions to form a roll having a continuous peripheral working surface, said sections being operable in their outermost positions to provide a space therebetween sufficient to permit an annular blank to be inserted between the sections and the latter having portions engageable with opposite side edges of the rim blank upon relative movement of the sections toward each other, means for relatively moving the sections toward each other to channel the blank, a cooperating forming roll movable toward and away from the forming roll sections, and means for moving the cooperating forming roll into engagement with the rim blank during the relative movement of the sections toward each other to form the blank to the contour of the continuous peripheral surface of said roll sections.

5. In a rolling machine, a pair of roll sections mounted for relative axial movement toward and away from each other and cooperating in their innermost positions to form a roll with a continuous working surface, means for revolving the sections including driving means, and unidirectional clutch means operatively connecting the driving means to the sections whereby the latter are free to overrun the driving means in one direction.

6. In a rolling machine, a pair of roll sections mounted for relative axial movement toward and away from each other and cooperating in their innermost positions to form a roll having a continuous working surface, means for revolving the sections including a drive shaft, and a unidirectional clutch operatively connecting each roll section to the drive shaft whereby either or both of the sections are free to overrun the drive shaft in one direction.

'7. In a rolling machine, a pair of roll sections mounted for relative axial movement toward and away from each other and cooperating in their innermost positions to form a roll with a continuous working surface, a roll cooperating with the roll aforesaid to fashion a strip of stock therebetween, and means for rotating the cooperating roll and roll sections aforesaid including a drive shaft, and a unidirectional clutch connecting the drive shaft to each of the roll sections and to said cooperating roll whereby each of the latter are free to rotate at different peripheral speeds from the other two.

8. In a rolling machine, a pair of roll sections mounted for relative axial movement in directions toward and away from each other and coopcrating in their innermost positions thereof to form a roll with a continuous working face, a cooperating forming roll movable toward and away from the sections, means for rotating the sections and roll including, a drive shaft, mechanism for independently connecting each of the sections and the roll to the drive shaft, and an overrunning clutch in each of the operative connections aforesaid whereby each of the forming roll sections and the cooperating roll are free to overrun the drive shaft.

9. In a machine for forming an annulus to a predetermined cross sectional contour, means for exerting an axial pressure on opposite side edges of the annulus to deflect one of the side edge portions radially and operable to continue the application of pressure on said edges subsequent to bending the said edge portion of the annulus, and means effective upon completion of the bending operation to engage said blank and exert a radial pressure on said annulus during the continued application of pressure on opposite side edges of the annulus, said last named means cooperating with the first named means to form the annulus to the desired cross sectional contour.

10. In a machine for forming an annulus to a predetermined cross sectional contour, means for exerting an axial pressure on opposite side edges of the annulus to deflect the edge portions outwardly and operable to continue the application of pressure on said edges subsequent to bending said edges of the annulus radially, and means effective upon completion of the bending operation to engage said blank and exert a radial pressure in an inward direction on the annulus as the first named means continues to exert an axial pressure on the opposite ends of the annulus.

11. In a machine for forming an annulus to a predetermined cross sectional contour, a pair of axially aligned members supported for relative movement in the direction of their axes and having portions adapted to extend into opposite ends of the annulus, said members having other portions engageable with the opposite edges of the annulus to exert an axial pressure upon said edges, means for relatively moving the members toward each other to bend the opposite side edge portions of the annulus outwardly, and means effective upon completion of the bending operation to exert a radial pressure in an inward direction on the annulus and to cooperate with said members to form the annulus to the desired cross sectional contour.

12. In a machine for forming an annulus to a predetermined cross sectional contour, relatively axially movable members cooperating with each other in one relative position to provide a peripheral surface corresponding in shape to the desired predetermined cross sectional contour and operable in another position to provide for inserting an annular blank therebetween, means for relatively moving said members from the last named position thereof to the first mentioned position of the same, said members having portions adapted to extend into the blankthrough opposite ends thereof to position the blank and having other portions engageable with the side edges of the blank to exert a pressure on said side edges sufiicient to bend one edge of the blank radially, and means effective upon completion of the bending operation to exert a radial pressure on the blank and to cooperate with said members to form the blank to the desired predetermined contour.

13. In a machine for forming an annulus to a predetermined cross sectional contour, a pair of relatively axially movable roll sections having portions engageable within opposite sides of the annular blank and having other portions engageable with the opposite side edges of the blank, means for relatively moving the roll sections axially toward each other to bend the opposite side edge portions of the blank radially with respect to the axis of the blank and operable to continue the application of said axial pressure on the blank subsequent to the bending operation, and means effective during the interval the axial pressure on the annular blank is continued by the roll sections to engage said blank and urge the same toward the peripheral surface of the roll sections.

14. In a machine for forming an annulus to a predetermined cross sectional contour, a pair of axially aligned members supported for relative movement in the direction of their axes from a position in axial spaced relation to each other to a position wherein the outer surface of one member forms a continuation of the corresponding surface of the other, means for relatively moving the members toward and away from each other, means effective upon relative movement of the members in a direction away from each other to position an annular blank between the members in axial alignment therewith, said members having inner end portions engageable into opposite sides of the blank upon initial relative movement of the members toward each other and having other portions engageable with the opposite side edges of the annular blank to exert an axial pressure upon said edges, and means effective during the interval the axial pressure is exerted upon the opposite side edges of the annular blank to apply a radial pressure on the annular blank in a direction toward said members to cooperate with the latter in forming the blank to a predetermined cross sectional contour.

FRANK H. LE JEUNE. 

